Northern Region Fertility Service (NRFS)

Description

About the NRFS

The NRFS provides coordination of referrals for publicly funded fertility services for the Northern region (Auckland, Waitematā, Counties Manukau and Northland region).

The NRFS has an Advisory Group. The purpose of the NRFS Advisory Group is to:

  • monitor, review and oversee regional fertility services
  • provide a forum for addressing questions and issues related to the regional provision of fertility services
  • ensure there is a coordinated approach to public fertility services
  • review and monitor referral pathways
  • review, improve and monitor consumer feedback.

Publicly funded fertility services

In the Northern region there are three providers of publicly funded fertility services. They are:

Fertility Plus

Repromed

Fertility Associates

The three fertility clinics provide a range of specialist Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) assessment and treatment services. People may need this service if they are:

  • experiencing infertility
  • experiencing familial genetic disorders
  • experiencing biological infertility
  • requiring fertility preservation for patients whose fertility may be permanently impaired by treatment, such as cancer treatment
  • requiring advice and information on services and best practice guidelines on fertility issues.

Counselling services

Social work and counselling should be available to all patients to address the social and psychological effects of undergoing infertility treatment, fertility preservation, as well as other options such as adoption or living without children.

The needs of Māori people or those of other cultures may include involvement of whānau in counselling sessions.

Treatment

There are a range of investigations and treatments that may be offered to you depending on the clinical reasons for the infertility. Ensure these are fully discussed with you and your whānau as appropriate. Informed consent is important before any treatment is commenced.

Patient information

The Human Fertility and Embryology Authority (HFEA) website from the United Kingdom provides valuable information for patients considering fertility treatment. 

We recommend visiting the HFEA website. In particular the pages about fertility treatments and treatment add-ons are informative.

Registers of sperm, egg and embryo donations

Details of sperm, egg and embryo donors and children conceived from donations are kept on the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology (HART) Register. 

Referral Expectations

Public referrals

Please see your GP if you have concerns regarding fertility issues.

If your GP confirms a referral to fertility services is required a referral will be sent to NRFS, eligibility for a publicly funded specialist appointment will be checked and from there you will be allocated to one of three providers in the Auckland region. The clinic will make contact with you to organise your first appointment. This appointment is called a First Specialist Appointment (FSA). The purpose of the FSA is to:

  • Complete an initial assessment by a specialist fertility clinician
  • Confirm that you meet the service’s access criteria and are suitable for treatment - if you do not meet the criteria for further treatment you will be referred back to your GP with an explanation of the reason(s). 
  • Discuss potential treatment options and management plans. This discussion will include expectations, possible risks, after care arrangements, expected waiting time to receive treatment. Essential information should be supplied in writing.

Please note that eligibility for an FSA does not mean eligibility for fertility treatment. At the FSA patients will be assessed for their eligibility for treatment using a CPAC scoring system. For more details please visit National Women's website. Once this CPAC scoring is completed you will then be informed of your eligibility for treatment.

Eligibility criteria for publicly funded referrals to NRFS for an FSA for biological infertility include:

  • Woman <40 years at time of referral
  • New Zealand resident(s) or work permit for at least two years (this applies to both couples, not just the woman). Proof of residency/citizenship/work visa must be provided before eligibility for treatment can be confirmed
  • One year of infertility or known severe cause.

The referral requires information on both the patient requiring review and their partner.

If the couple have two or more children they are not eligible for publicly funded fertility treatment.

Women with a BMI >32 and / or smoke may be eligible for an FSA but they will not be eligible for publicly funded treatment.

The following tests should be completed but do not need to be attached to the referral:

  • Semen analysis
  • Current smear
  • HIV, Hep B, Hep C (male and female)
  • FSH and estradiol level Day 2-4 of cycle (within 6 months)
  • Progesterone level 6-8 days before menses.

Public referrals should be sent to:
 
Northern Regional Fertility Service

Email: NorthernRegion.FertilityService@waitematadhb.govt.nz

37 Taharoto Road, Private Bag 93 503, Takapuna, Auckland 0622.

Any woman who is or is not eligible for a public referral or public treatment can approach any of the providers for a private consultation and/or treatment.

Fees and Charges Description

No co-payment will be sought from patients for any fertility treatment if they are eligible for publicly funded treatment, this includes supplies and equipment but there may be prescription charges.

Charges for transfer of embryos from clinics outside the region may apply.

See download "Detail on Eligibility for Publicly Funded Fertility Services" for further detail related to PGD and fertility preservation.

Conditions / Procedures / Treatments

Causes of Infertility
Treatment Wait Times

https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/public/fertility/northern-region-fertility-service-nrfs/